Why choose this course?
*subject to availability
The 21st century engineer is a key player in the development and sustainability of the modern world. Whether it be involvement in the design and building of wind turbines, the reuse of construction materials to develop new roads or the drive for sustainable construction and low energy buildings, it is the modern day civil engineer who plays a key role.
Today's civil engineer requires the knowledge and ability to produce solutions to expensive and diverse problems in a safe and environmentally appropriate way. To achieve this, a whole host of interesting and valuable skills are required.
The philosophy of the course is to integrate aspects of civil engineering theory and practice with supporting topics to provide a distinctive and stimulating undergraduate study programme aimed at students who aspire to manage the design, construction and maintenance processes for enhancing the built and natural environment.
There are three inter-related themes within the course:
The differences in the subject areas ensure that you are exposed to a variety of stimulating learning environments, such as:
The Civil Engineering Placement in year 3 and the optional summer employment in the construction sector provide you with the opportunity to gain practical experience of the world of work within the area of Civil Engineering and Construction, and provide you with an opportunity to develop your personal and interpersonal skills.
How you learn
A variety of teaching methods are used to develop your knowledge and skills. Teaching is focused around a lecture programme supported by tutorials, case studies and seminars, the use of practical laboratory exercises and fieldwork projects. External input from local and national practitioners is provided where possible.
You will spend around 18 hours per week attending classes and in addition you will be required to spend at least an equal number of hours studying on your own. In year 4 the Honours project is your opportunity to integrate your learning into an individual research programme and produce a professional standard project report.
How you are assessed
Assessment on this course is carried out via a combination of coursework assignments, class tests and closed-book examinations. A range of methods are used including short-answer tests, problem-solving exercises, formal reports (oral, written or posters), and laboratory assignments. In the later years of the course formal examinations are a feature of most modules.
Higher BBC; A Level CDD; ILC (H) BBC; UCAS Tariff 168-200 points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: mathematics or a numerate science subject.
Advanced entry (year 2)
Advanced entry is possible for applicants with suitable subjects at GCE A Level or Scottish Advanced Higher and offering approximately 300 UCAS points (e.g. BBB at A Level or BBB at Advanced Higher, including Mathematics and Physics) from these qualifications. Each application will be considered on its own merits. If you would like us to consider you for advanced entry please contact the admissions tutor in the first instance to discuss your qualifications.
If you are currently at college and are interested in advanced entry, please refer to our Coming from college page.
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here
Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
Your future
Exciting opportunities exist for graduates from our course. There are good employment prospects with professional consulting engineers, major civil engineering contractors, specialist project management organisations, local authorities, public and private utilities, and transportation groups.
A wide range of organisations seeking well educated, innovative employees for their future prosperity look towards civil engineers as graduates who combine crucial high level analytical skills with a practical approach to problem solving.
In particular the experiences gained in your work placement should better equip you for entering the employment sector and may also be seen by prospective employers as an advantage.
Professional accreditation
The course is accredited by Joint Board of Moderators on behalf the Institution of Civil Engineers as satisfying the academic requirements for registration with the Engineering Council at Incorporated Engineer status and facilitates progression to full membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Institution of Highways and Transportation (IHT) and the Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers (IHIE).
Specialist facilities
A range of well equipped laboratories and workshops are available to civil engineering students in which the study of construction materials, structures, geotechnics and hydraulics are carried out.
Modern surveying equipment provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in dimensional control and land surveying. In addition the Urban Water Technology Centre (UWTC) provides an important link between applied research and private and public organisations associated with engineering and infrastructure.
| Fee Category | September 2012 Fees |
Scholarships & Bursaries |
| Scottish and other EU students |
The 2012 fee will be announced Apply to the Student Awards Agency |
Other forms of support |
| English, Welsh and Northern Irish students |
£7000 per year (max. amount payable You can apply for financial assistance, |
Bursaries & Scholarships |
| Overseas (non EU) students |
£9975 per year. Fees may be subject to annual increase. |
Overseas Scholarships |
Fees shown are payable annually, and may be subject to increase each year.
